Today's Opinions

On Oct. 27, I attended a public meeting held in Kershaw by the Army Corps of Engineers pertaining to the environmental impact statement that decides whether Haile Gold Mine receives permits to mine several thousand acres.
The purpose of the meeting was to get input so the Army Corps of Engineers can decide if the benefits of reopening HGM outweigh raping the land, contaminating our water supply and destroying our community. Most of the people who spoke in favor of HGM have or will benefit personally. They have sold to the mine, have stock or own a profitable business.

On Oct. 26, the Buford chapter of the Future Educators Association held its fourth annual Powder Puff Football game. This game was a fundraiser for the chapter. We plan to travel to Baltimore in February and the money raised will offset the cost for student travel.

I’ve said many times that Iran has long sought to become the undisputed leader in the region, largely through aggressive and ambitious military development.
Iran’s weapons program is of enormous concern to the United States. It isn’t only former Soviet weapons and weapons – grade nuclear material that Iran is getting its hands on – it has also actively recruited former Soviet atomic scientists. Communist China has also supplied the Iranians with nuclear technology.

The Kershaw Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2011 Hog Jam this year.
It was through the efforts of many, such as sponsors, vendors, chamber members, chamber friends, and especially those who came and enjoyed it, that another year was deemed successful.
A special thank you to Small’s Food Center, for not only giving us deals on the 2,200 pounds of pork, but supplying all of the paper goods, drinks and the refrigerated truck, that made the event go so much easier.

There’s plenty of activities here to honor Veterans Day in Lancaster.
It should be.
Veterans Day is the time our nation, from Main Street, USA to Washington and across our county, to salute military veterans.
The federal holiday is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world and falls on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

On behalf of Carolinas Literacy Network board of directors, I want to thank the many sponsors, contributors, volunteers and staff who helped to make Storytelling in the Park a wonderful event.
Keith Tunnell, director of Lancaster County Economic Development Corp., planted the seed a year ago when he arranged for a group to visit the National Storytelling Center’s annual festival in Jonesborough, Tenn.

I was dismayed that our elected Sen. Jim DeMint blatantly did not attend the joint session of Congress on Sept. 8 for the president’s jobs speech. Mr. DeMint publicly stated prior to that date that he would not attend, instead he was going to the Boeing plant with the National Labor Relations Board issue.
This arrogant gesture looks bad for the state of South Carolina. If Mr. DeMint has a better jobs plan, let’s see it. Isn’t he supposed to be representing us in Washington?

So much talking and meeting about the Indian Land concrete plants leaves me confused. County Council waffles on the issue depending which side of the conflict has the best ammunition at its most recent session.
Back when Indian Land was a quiet little country community, it sorta felt like having some businesses in an industrial park would be a good deal, both for jobs and the area in general.